Wayne E. Bailey ships 1 ½-pound microwaveable bags of U.S. No.1 petite sweet potatoes from its Chadbourn facility. The bag sells under the George Foods and Green Giant Fresh brands. It is available year round.

The item is growing in popularity, Wooten said, and his company has received good feedback from consumers.

“It’s not the biggest item we have in our opportunities, but it’s something that’s working for us,” Wooten said.

Johnson said the individually wrapped microwaveable sweet potatoes, which Wada markets under the Dole brand as well as its own Easy Baker label, has sold well over the past several years.

Consumers who weren’t sure what to do with a sweet potato can pick one up, put it in the microwave, and eight minutes later they have a side dish, he said.

Wada also is testing a foil-wrapped Easy Griller sweet potato, Watt said. The potatoes are about 8-10 ounces, Watt said.